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Al coates

@alcoates.bsky.social
218 followers 159 following 244 posts

SWer, Host of the Adoption and Fostering Podcast, Trainer, CyclistRunner, Dad, Adopter, exFC. All my own thoughts from my pretty little head ⭐️Churchill Fellow⭐️

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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Susie Richardson is researching FASD in the prison population. Susie has a broad range of experience and from running prisons and working with care leavers she has seen the need for a better understanding of the impact and prevalence of FASD in those communities. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Episode 232 - FASD awareness with PhD researcher Susie Richardson
Podcast Episode · The Adoption and Fostering Podcast · 12 September · 45min
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
A little blog: Are parents victims alcoates.co.uk/blog%2C-news...
alcoates.co.uk
Victim
I've just got round to reading Tabitha Ross-Brown's book on Child to Parent Violence and Abuse. It's fascinating to get a US perspective given the context of the prevalence of firearms and, dare I…
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Low Friction Support for adoptive families #Adoption alcoates.co.uk/blog%2C-news...
alcoates.co.uk
Low Friction Support
Low Friction Support, I’m not sure where the phrase emerged from but the barriers to accessing support can seem unending.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Better Me Better Us Episode 38 - People change @BMBUltd podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Better Me Better Us Episode 38 - People change
Podcast Episode · The Adoption and Fostering Podcast · 14 July · 27min
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
WwF - Rachel Braverman - 'unhelpful help' What do we do when those we look to for help make things worse? in this episode we hear what does help.
podcasts.apple.com
WwF - Rachel Braverman - 'unhelpful help'
Podcast Episode · The Adoption and Fostering Podcast · 30 May · 41min
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Episode 226 - CPV and Practitioner Anxiety + FASD Ireland Conf www.podbean.com/eas/pb-bqwcc... or Apple Podcasts here- podcasts.apple.com/.../the.../i.... #CPV #CCVAB #AFCCA See less
podbean.com
Episode 226 - CPV and Practitioner Anxiety + FASD Ireland Conf
Hello and welcome to this episode, it's action packed and we reunite after Scott's many travels! We start with a consideration about the recent FASD Ireland conference and the radio documentary that…
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Episode 226 - CPV and Practitioner Anxiety + FASD Ireland Conf podcasts.apple.com/.../the.../i.... #CPV #CCVAB #AFCCA See less
podbean.com
Episode 226 - CPV and Practitioner Anxiety + FASD Ireland Conf
Hello and welcome to this episode, it's action packed and we reunite after Scott's many travels! We start with a consideration about the recent FASD Ireland conference and the radio documentary that…
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
It's Foster Care Fortnight and we've a voice of fostering from the US. Corey is a foster dad with a passion to foster and support boys. He shares his experiences with children and a system that will resonate with UK carers. #Fostering #FosterCareFortnight podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Converstations - US Foster Carer Corey
Podcast Episode · The Adoption and Fostering Podcast · 16 May · 36min
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Helen Bonnick @helenbonnick.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
Some amazing speakers booked for the #CPA Reframing Professional Practice conference in May including @carriegrant.bsky.social @rutternik.bsky.social @alcoates.bsky.social Still some tickets available
linkedin.com
We’re excited to be building momentum towards the Child to Parent Abuse Conference – Reframing Professional Practice, taking place on the 15th of May 2026 in London. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be…...
We’re excited to be building momentum towards the Child to Parent Abuse Conference – Reframing Professional Practice, taking place on the 15th of May 2026 in London. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be ...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Better Me Better Us Episode 35 - Positive Dosing www.podbean.com/eas/pb-7mkrb...
podbean.com
Better Me Better Us Episode  35 - Positive Dosing
In this episode we are talking about positive dosing - the small, consistent, positive interactions that help children who have experienced trauma, loss, or instability begin to build self-worth, trus...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Holding the line between safeguarding and flexibility can be a balance. But I do feel like we need to look at the NMSs and how we manage allegations. #Fostering #Fostercare www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news...
communitycare.co.uk
DfE drive to cut fostering 'bureaucracy' sparks safeguarding concerns - Community Care
Broad welcome from social care bodies for government plan to increase foster care place numbers by 10,000 by 2029
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Episode 234 - Adoption Announcement, ASGSF and Foster Care isn't a Job! www.podbean.com/eas/pb-n4xvc...
podbean.com
Episode 234 - Adoption Announcement, ASGSF and Foster Care isn't a Job!
Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast with Scott Casson-Rennie AMBII and Al Coates.  This was recorded the day of the Children's Minister's announcement on the Adoption & Special Guardianship S...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
Keeping an eye on this, 100 year from the first UK legislation around adoption we see the ground shifting beneath us. The UK Supreme Court to consider whether adoption orders can be set-aside on the basis of welfare grounds www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com/en/insights/...
charlesrussellspeechlys.com
The UK Supreme Court to consider whether adoption orders can be set-aside on the basis of welfare grounds
The UK Supreme Court will sit today (Wednesday 4 February) to hear the case of X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside)...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
It's a truism but if parents and carers are doing ok then children will do ok. but if parents/carers aren't then it's likely children aren't. 'When supporting children with trauma, we often forget foster carers' - Community Care www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news...
communitycare.co.uk
'When supporting children with trauma, we often forget foster carers' - Community Care
An experienced social worker explains why supporting foster carers is key to helping children with trauma
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Better Me Better Us Episode 32 - Own It Episode out now! www.podbean.com/eas/pb-7ifsd...
podbean.com
Better Me Better Us Episode 32 - Own It
In this episode we explore the responsibility adults and professionals carry to own their behaviours, words, and actions, especially when working with children. From everyday interactions to moments o...
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Richard Servian @serwianski.bsky.social · 01/01/2026
Good to hear @alcoates.bsky.social on BBC radio 4 World At One on this subject
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
Free - Managing challenging behaviour with children in kinship care workshop The first session in January is full so I advise snapping up your spot asap! #CPV #CCVAB #AFCCA kinship.org.uk/support-and-...
kinship.org.uk
Managing challenging behaviour with children in kinship care workshop
This free workshop will give you helpful information about managing challenging behavior and how to deal with it sensitively.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Support for child to parent abuse | College of Policing #CCVAB #CPV #AFCCA www.college.police.uk/article/supp...
college.police.uk
Support for child to parent abuse | College of Policing
Raising awareness of child to parent abuse to ensure all frontline workers can recognise signs of harmful behaviour
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
A really good read from Dr Maude Champagne for parents and carers who no longer live with children who have challenging and aggressive behaviour #CCVAB #Parentingfromadistance #AFCCA #CPV Recovery When Your Child who is aggressive no Longer Lives at Home www.maudechampagne.com/blog/recover...
maudechampagne.com
Recovery When Your Child who is aggressive no Longer Lives at Home: A Journey Few Speak About
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
A really good read from Dr Maude Champagne for parents and carers who no longer live with children who have challenging and aggressive behaviour #CCVAB #Parentingfromadistance #AFCCA #CPV Recovery When Your Child who is aggressive no Longer Lives at Home www.maudechampagne.com/blog/recover...
maudechampagne.com
Recovery When Your Child who is aggressive no Longer Lives at Home: A Journey Few Speak About
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
ICO promises legal action over ‘traumatic’ UK care-record access
theguardian.com
ICO promises legal action over ‘traumatic’ UK care-record access
Information regulator reminds council leaders of need for compassion when releasing files on childhood care
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Better Me Better Us Ep 31 - Back to basics www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5shn4...
podbean.com
Better Me Better Us Ep 31 - Back to basics
In this episode, we explore the importance of stripping everything back to the basics and showing up on a truly human level. It’s these foundations, warmth, consistency, repair and presence, that crea...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
Episode 221 - Adoption Crisis and More We catch up with the events of the week with #Adoption being in the news and #Fostering stats sneaking under the radar. #AdoptionPodcast www.podbean.com/eas/pb-9hehz...
podbean.com
Episode 221 - Adoption Crisis and More
Hello and welcome to this episode of the adoption and fostering podcast. With the wide ranging coverage in the news of the UK's adoption crisis we focus in on that in this episode as well as the respo...
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Cornish Skipper #FBPE #RejoinEU 🇪🇺🔶🌹💚💙 @cornishskipper.wsocial.eu · 06/12/2025
“Farage has suggested that it’s inconceivable that anyone could recall such events of more than four decades ago. I would simply ask: can a victim of such abuse ever forget?…I recognise his walk every time I see it on TV as that same walk that used to approach me” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
I’ll never forget the look of hatred Nigel Farage had for me at school, simply for existing
The Reform UK leader doubts people can recall their abuse from years ago. I’ve never forgotten his – it felt malicious
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Rotherham to overhaul foster care after death of Marcia Grant www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Rotherham to overhaul foster care after death of Marcia Grant
Marcia Grant died after a 12-year-old boy she was looking after reversed a car into her.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
In this Podcast we unpack the Adoption Forum conference looking at maintaining family links in adoption. #Adoption #AdoptionPodcast podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
Conference Report - The Adoption Forum
Podcast Episode · The Adoption and Fostering Podcast · 29/11/2025 · 26m
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
In this Podcast we unpack the Adoption Forum conference looking at maintaining family links in adoption. adoptionandfostering.podbean.com/e/conference...
adoptionandfostering.podbean.com
Conference Report - The Adoption Forum | The Adoption and Fostering Podcast
On the 19th November Al was invited to attend a conference in London organised by The Adoption Forum and this is his on the hoof podcast. Their goal is to bridge law, policy, and lived experience and ...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
In this week's Adoption and Fostering Postcast I speak to former foster carer Amelie, she share her experience of allegations and catastrophic implications for her household. #Fostering #Fostercare #podcast t.co/z5w3CfdxIX
t.co
https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-4rg9e-158fdb
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
The Adoption and Fostering Podcast This week I speak to former foster carer Amelie, she share her experience of allegations and catastrophic implications for her household. #Fostering #Fostercare #Podcast www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-4r...
podbean.com
The Adoption and Fostering Podcast | Al Coates & Scott Casson-Rennie
Conversation & discussion on contemporary Adoption & Fostering
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FASD Ireland @fasdireland.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Today we are in Cavan delivering Introduction to Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in person! Our thanks to Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre for inviting us back to present this training again.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Home: A blog For many parents and carers of children who have experienced trauma and early life adversity the home is not a safe place. #Adoption #Kinship #CCVAB #AFCCA #CPV alcoates.co.uk/blog%2C-news...
alcoates.co.uk
Home
Sitting in the car, engine off, in front of my house. I’m sure many can relate to the feeling of calm before a coming storm.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Episode 220 - Dads' Mental Health - Movember We chat about the impact of parenting on dads' mental health and think about the added complexity of parenting children with complex needs. #Adoption #SEN #Movember #MentalHealthAwareness #Podcast www.podbean.com/eas/pb-hsbnb...
podbean.com
Episode 220 - Dads' Mental Health - Movember
Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast.  *Warning!* We will be leaning into gender stereotypes. So, it's been a while since we had a proper natter so we catch up then dive into the tricky issue of men...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
Episode 220 - Dads' Mental Health - Movember #adoption #movember www.podbean.com/eas/pb-hsbnb...
podbean.com
Episode 220 - Dads' Mental Health - Movember
Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast.  *Warning!* We will be leaning into gender stereotypes. So, it's been a while since we had a proper natter so we catch up then dive into the tricky issue of men...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
theguardian.com
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
New episode out today! #adoption #adoptiondisruption With Vicki McKeown open.spotify.com/episode/1xm5...
open.spotify.com
Adoption Disruption - Vicki McKeown, social worker, counsellor and panel member
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
It's been a huge point of discussion in the WwF group this week. I think that the most interesting/concerning being that often it feels like a label to further castigate parents and carers. “Blocked Care” and “Blocked Trust” in Adoptive and Foster Families www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/full....
psychologytoday.com
“Blocked Care” and “Blocked Trust” in Adoptive and Foster Families
A hidden shame is felt by many adoptive and foster families. Blocked care and blocked trust are likely at the root of it.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
New episode out today! #adoption #adoptiondisruption With Vicki McKeown open.spotify.com/episode/1xm5...
open.spotify.com
Adoption Disruption - Vicki McKeown, social worker, counsellor and panel member
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee. #Adoption #Adoptee www.podbean.com/eas/pb-gmav7...
podbean.com
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee.
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.  In this episode I speak to adoptee Andy Wallis. We talk about his experience of being an adoptee and the impact on his mental health in ad...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
New episode - Adult Adoptee Andy #Adoption open.spotify.com/episode/37ik...
open.spotify.com
Spotify – Web Player
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee. #Adoption #Nationaladoptionweek www.podbean.com/eas/pb-gmav7...
podbean.com
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee.
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.  In this episode I speak to adoptee Andy Wallis. We talk about his experience of being an adoptee and the impact on his mental health in ad...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee. #adoption #nationaladoptionweek www.podbean.com/eas/pb-gmav7...
podbean.com
Converations. Andy Wallis adult adoptee.
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.  In this episode I speak to adoptee Andy Wallis. We talk about his experience of being an adoptee and the impact on his mental health in ad...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Last month I met online with a group of UK adoptive dads to talk about the experience of parenting as an adopter. #CPV #CCVAB #CPVA We're meeting Mon 27th 8pm. If you're a UK dad want to join email me or DM al.coates@beaconservices.org Or you can join us on FB www.facebook.com/groups/16206...
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Wednesday Webcast - Adoption State of the Nation Conversation I chat to Fiona Wells founder of PATCH and campaigner #Adoption #YouCanAdopt #NationalAdoptionWeek #AdoptionPodcast www.podbean.com/eas/pb-wdh7q...
podbean.com
Wednesday Webcast - Adoption State of the Nation Conversation
I speak to Fiona Wells, social worker, #adopter, #adoptee and #adoption reform campaigner about where we are this #NationalAdoptionWeek.  We talk all things adoption, trends, contact, the good and the...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
It's #NationalAdoptionWeek so perhaps a good moment to share some alternative perspectives. Understanding the experiences of parents who were adopted as children aifs.gov.au/resources/po...
aifs.gov.au
Understanding the experiences of parents who were adopted as children
This paper summarises adult adoptees' parenting experiences and support needs, with practical guidance for professionals.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Conversations - Parenting from a Distance with Adoptive parent Cath #Adoption www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6q5uw-...
podbean.com
Conversations - Parenting from a Distance with Adoptive parent Cath
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.  In this episode I speak to adoptive parent Cath who is parenting from a distance, a position  that many adoptive families find themselves ...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Adoption Disruption - Fiona Wells, adopter, adoptee and founder of PATCH #adoption www.podbean.com/eas/pb-rrx7s...
podbean.com
Adoption Disruption - Fiona Wells, adopter, adoptee and founder of PATCH
Hello and welcome to the A&F podcast.  Over the next episodes we’re focusing our gaze on the issue of adoption disruption. It’s a hugely sensitive subject matter with the impact on children, adult...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Watch BBC One North East & Cumbria live - BBC iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live...
bbc.co.uk
Watch BBC One live - BBC iPlayer
Watch BBC One live on BBC iPlayer.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Better Me Better Us: Ep 29 Different Lenses @BMBUltd #Podcast www.podbean.com/eas/pb-twgf8...
podbean.com
Better Me Better Us: Ep 29 Different Lenses
This month we’re exploring how our different lenses - our lived experiences, values, and professional knowledge, shape the way we see and interpret behaviour. They influence how we respond, the langua...
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Not that impressed by the headline but it's always good to get the issue on the news. "Northumberland parents learn self defence against their children' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Northumberland parents learn self defence against their children
Some parents say help is not available quickly enough to deal with violence from their children.
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Al coates @alcoates.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Conversations - Parenting from a Distance with Adoptive parent Cath #Adoption #ParentingfromaDistance www.podbean.com/eas/pb-6q5uw...
podbean.com
Conversations - Parenting from a Distance with Adoptive parent Cath
Hello and welcome to conversations from the A&F podcast.  In this episode I speak to adoptive parent Cath who is parenting from a distance, a position  that many adoptive families find themselves ...
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